Seoul government allows BTS' comeback show at Gwanghwamun Square with certain conditions

The performance is scheduled to take place at Gwanghwamun on March 21 KST, marking the first-ever live performance of songs from BTS’s highly anticipated comeback album Arirang.

• BTS gets approval for comeback show at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, 2026
• City requires strict safety measures and crowd management for the event
• BTS's new album Arirang releases March 20, first in nearly 4 years

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The Seoul metropolitan government on Thursday approved K-pop band BTS’s request to hold a comeback show at the central Gwanghwamun Square, provided that all safety standards are strictly met. BTS, along with their label Big Hit Music, has received permission to stage the BTS 2026 Comeback Show, Seoul at Gwanghwamun Square on January 22 KST.

According to Korea Times, the decision came after a meeting of a relevant advisory panel, which reviewed a request submitted by Hybe—the K-pop company behind BTS—and BigHit Music, asking for permission to hold the concert, titled BTS 2026 Comeback Show @ Seoul, at Gwanghwamun in March.

The city government clarified that the approval is conditional upon adherence to safety measures, including preventing overlaps in exit times between performers and audience members, as well as minimising traffic disruptions in the area.

The performance is scheduled to take place at Gwanghwamun on March 21 KST, marking the first-ever live performance of songs from BTS’s highly anticipated comeback album Arirang.

BTS and Big Hit Music have also submitted applications to use other areas around Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun, and Sungnyemun for additional events. City officials indicated that these approvals are expected once detailed crowd management plans are thoroughly reviewed.

Arirang will be BTS’s fifth full-length album, releasing on March 20, marking their first new album in three years and nine months since their anthology album Proof, which came out in June 2022.

In addition to the concert at Gwanghwamun Square, Hybe has asked to host another large event for about 30,000 people at Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall. The Gwanghwamun performance aims for an audience of around 18,000.

To ensure the safety and convenience of attendees, the city government will conduct thorough on-site inspections before the events. They will check for issues like high hotel prices and other unfair practices in neighbourhoods near Gwanghwamun Square.

Also read: BTS to perform free at Gwanghwamun Square? BIGHIT MUSIC reacts ahead of comeback album ARIRANG release

Additionally, the government plans to organize a range of programs to celebrate BTS’s comeback on the day of the performance. These programs will be designed for both the group's fans and foreign tourists visiting Seoul.

This event will mark a historic moment, as it will be the first solo concert by a single K-pop act held at Gwanghwamun Square, further cementing BTS’s influence and reach in both the domestic and international music scene.